How Simulated Moving Bed (SMB) Chromatography Maximizes Side Stream Value in the Food & Beverage Industry

In most industries, profitability can be increased by extracting more value from the raw materials — either in higher quality finished primary products or in side streams converted into secondary, revenue-generating products.

As technology has advanced, so has the ability to squeeze greater value from waste and by-products previously deemed to have no value, or to have value that is inaccessible because of the cost of extracting that value. Chromatography is a process that helps isolate compounds and create value from those side streams.

In the food and beverage industry, significant economic and environmental benefits are achieved by using simulated moving bed (SMB) chromatography to improve side stream valorization. SMB chromatography uses multiple columns arranged in a loop, continuously rotating inlet and outlet ports to simulate the countercurrent movement of the solid phase, allowing simultaneous and continuous component separation. This process is more advanced than batch chromatography, in which the feed is loaded into a single column, followed by sequential washing, elution and regeneration phases.

There are eight primary ways in which SMB chromatography maximizes side stream value, delivering superior sustainability and financial benefits.

1. High yield and purity of nutritional compounds

SMB chromatography is highly effective at recovering valuable nutritional components from food processing side streams. It achieves exceptionally high purity and yield by continuously separating complex mixtures into individual fractions. This is particularly useful in the extraction of compounds such as fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), amino acids and organic acids from substrates such as whey, fruit pulp or molasses. The high resolution and low degradation of sensitive compounds during processing make SMB ideal for applications where food-grade quality is essential. This helps manufacturers maximize value from every raw material input, improving the overall efficiency and profitability of food production lines.

2. Continuous processing for higher efficiency

Unlike batch chromatography, SMB chromatography operates continuously, allowing for uninterrupted processing of side streams at industrial scale. This enables food manufacturers to achieve consistent product quality over long periods without the frequent shutdowns, cleanings and restarts required by traditional methods. Continuous operation also improves process stability and traceability, essential for regulatory compliance and food safety. With reduced downtime and better equipment utilization, SMB chromatography delivers higher throughput with fewer operational bottlenecks. This is particularly advantageous in large-scale operations such as dairy processing or sugar refinement, where side streams are produced steadily and require efficient, around-the-clock valorization.

3. Selective recovery of value-added ingredients

SMB chromatography excels at separating compounds with very similar chemical properties — such as glucose and fructose, or different oligosaccharides. This selectivity enables the isolation of niche, high-value ingredients from low-value waste streams. For instance, food manufacturers can extract FOS from fruit pulp or convert lactose-rich whey into GOS and lactose-free products. Polyphenols, natural pigments and bioactive compounds can also be recovered from fruit skins or coffee processing waste. By capturing these components, companies can create clean-label ingredients for functional foods and beverages, offering health benefits such as gut health support, antioxidant activity and low glycemic response.

4. Reduction of food waste

SMB technology transforms by-products and residues into profitable co-products, supporting efforts to reduce food waste and increase resource efficiency. Many food processing operations generate large quantities of side streams — such as peels, pomace, whey or spent grain — that are often discarded or used as low-value animal feed. With SMB chromatography, these materials can be refined into ingredients for human consumption, enabling a circular economy approach. This not only helps companies meet regulatory and environmental sustainability goals but also minimizes disposal costs and landfill usage. By treating waste as a resource, SMB chromatography turns environmental challenges into commercial opportunities.

5. Lower environmental impact

SMB chromatography offers a more environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional separation techniques such as batch chromatography or solvent-based extraction. Its continuous, closed-loop design results in significantly lower consumption of resins, solvents and water. Energy use is also reduced due to lower temperature operation and minimal need for evaporation or distillation. This makes SMB attractive for companies aiming to reduce their carbon footprint and align with environmental regulations and consumer expectations. Moreover, the reduced generation of chemical-laden wastewater simplifies post-processing treatment. Altogether, SMB supports eco-efficient manufacturing, helping food producers make progress toward net-zero and sustainability certification goals.

6. Cost savings and operational efficiency

While the initial investment in SMB systems may be higher than conventional batch systems, the long-term operational savings are substantial. SMB chromatography uses less resin and solvent, reducing raw material costs. Its continuous mode reduces labor intensity, downtime and maintenance expenses. For food processors with steady side-stream outputs, this means more product per unit time and lower cost per kilogram of purified ingredient. The previously mentioned reduced energy use also results in lower energy costs. Finally, increased process automation and integration with existing production lines make SMB systems both user-friendly and scalable. These efficiencies translate into a competitive edge, allowing manufacturers to extract more value from each input with lower overhead.

7. Improved marketability and sustainability branding

Using chromatographic technology to valorize food production side streams helps companies differentiate their brand in a sustainability-conscious market. Consumers increasingly favor products made with upcycled or environmentally friendly ingredients, and SMB supports this narrative. By converting waste into functional food components — such as prebiotics, natural colors or lactose-free sweeteners — companies can develop premium, clean-label products. This enhances brand equity while supporting compliance with environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria. Certifications such as upcycled food, non-GMO or organic become more attainable when side-stream valorization is part of the value chain, offering marketing advantages and access to sustainability-driven funding or partnerships.

8. Flexible and scalable for various side streams

One of chromatography’s greatest strengths is its flexibility to handle a variety of feedstocks and separation targets. In the food and beverage industry, side streams vary greatly — from sugar beet molasses and fruit peel extract to starch processing effluents and whey permeate. Chromatography systems can be tailored by adjusting column number, resin type and flow parameters to meet specific separation needs. Whether isolating sugars, peptides or bioactives, SMB chromatography can scale from pilot to full industrial capacity. This adaptability makes it a future-proof investment for processors who want to valorize diverse side streams or pivot to new ingredient markets.

With SMB chromatography, food and beverage manufacturers can get more value from their side streams through improved compound yield and purity. With additional benefits from cost reduction, process efficiency and sustainability goal achievement, SMB chromatography can more than pay for itself and contribute measurably to plant and company profitability.